MAPLE RIDGE PITT MEADOWS ARTS COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council, doing business and recognized as the ACT Arts Centre, recognizes that our Centre and our work takes place on the traditional and unceded territories of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations. We acknowledge our traditional hosts and thank them for their graciousness in welcoming us to carry out this work on their land.
The Arts Council has almost one half century of history as the leading arts organization in the community. Founded in 1971, the Council has operated The ACT Arts Centre since it opened in 2003, in an agreement with and support from the City of Maple Ridge to provide strong programming to the citizens of the community and visitors from neighboring region.
Transitions of key leadership positions in the staff and on the Board coinciding with the conclusion of the previous strategic plan offers unique opportunities to build on the many past successes of the Centre while re-envisioning programs, services, structures and resources for a rapidly growing and changing community.
To reflect the values of the organization, a key requirement of the planning process was that it be inclusive of perspectives and feedback from all staff, Board and stakeholders; be specific in its objectives; be achievable within the timeline of the plan; and include baselines and timelines to measure and guide results. This plan will be executed in a fiscally responsible manner, taking into consideration the funding landscape and under review of the Board of Directors.
The process has been both aspirational and practical, and envisions fostering greater dynamic impact with our patrons, stakeholders, artists, staff and community.
Like all dynamic entities, The ACT Arts Centre is a continual work in progress. The work of The ACT Arts Centre consists of constantly striving to reflect, support and engage our community and visitors to it though the Arts, in all its human diversity and complexity. As the communities we serve change and grow, we will remain outwardly focused in order to identify and seize opportunities that may not have presented themselves at the writing of this plan. This is a time of exciting opportunity.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
In 2018, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of The ACT Arts Council began the first steps to develop a new Strategic Plan. The previous Strategic Plan was expiring and new additions to the Board and changes in key staff presented an ideal opportunity to identify and clarify priorities. Vantage Point Consulting was engaged and Val Mason was appointed as the facilitator.
An inclusive process was designed to engage staff, board and stakeholders in the process. Multiple sessions were conducted with stakeholders, staff and the board. Primary stakeholders invited to participate included Government partners and funding entities: Federal, Provincial and Municipal; School District 42, and other Educators and Instructors; Patrons and parents; Key donors and sponsors; Volunteers; Community Arts Groups; and Community Business groups.
At each session, the strengths, challenges and opportunities of The ACT Arts Centre were explored and clarified. This Strategic Plan represents the sum of the information and conclusions derived from those sessions.
ACT Arts Council Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision
To bring arts to the heart of our community.
Mission
We work in partnership with the community to develop, promote and celebrate the arts.
Values
Leadership | Collaboration | Integrity | Diversity | Accessibility | Innovation | Enjoyment
Organizational Mandate
The ACT Arts Centre advances its mission of working in partnership to develop, promote and celebrate the arts
By serving
Patrons, practitioners and lovers of all disciplines of the Arts
Learners of all ages
Participants in public events produced by the ACT Arts Centre
Predominantly in
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and surrounding communities
Through four essential programs:
Annual series of professional performing arts presentations
Annual Series professional quality Art Gallery exhibitions
A variety of multi-disciplinary arts learning classes and workshops for all ages
Support and funding of artistic projects for individuals and community groups
Building on Organizational Assets
Facility and location | Brand | Programs and scope | Professional Quality | Experienced professional Staff | Active and committed Board and Community Liaisons
Sustained by
Government, foundation and corporate support | Ticket and program fees | Facility rental income | Individual donors
programming mandate
The ACT Arts Centre is committed to:
Presenting high-quality exhibitions and performances featuring primarily Canadian artists;
Bringing a diverse balance of artistic and educational programming
Developing the ACT Arts Centre as an inclusive centre for arts and culture within the community, appealing to a wide range of interests and ages
Creating mutually beneficial co-presenting opportunities, within our resources, with other not-for-profit arts and community organizations that will strengthen and diversify the cultural sector
Encouraging and supporting local artists and arts organizations through the execution of our vision, mission and values
strategic priorities
programming
Performances, arts learning opportunities for all ages and Gallery exhibitions are the core services delivered by The ACT Arts Centre, taking place at the Centre and in off-site locations.
Central to program delivery is the ACT facility, which features the Mainstage Theatre, Studio Theatre, Art Gallery, Ceramics studio, a Media room, and multi-purpose spaces including two large classrooms, a conference room, and generous lobby space; all located in the centre of Maple Ridge.
The success of the organization as whole will be linked to the excellence, innovation, appeal, and impact of the core programs developed and delivered over the next 3-5 years.
In addition to the core programs, the ACT Arts Centre engages audiences with diverse programming that also includes free-of-charge community events within the facility; Work with rental clients and community groups for independent events; Other arts & culture support programs, including grant awards for youth, arts projects and community groups.
With the recent and projected population growth in the community, especially among young families and seniors, there is a significant potential to broaden, deepen and diversify programming as The ACT Arts Centre engages with patrons.
The ACT will enhance and expand programming while blending innovation, growth with capacity, and artistic reach, and remaining attuned to participant needs, desires and expectations by:
Increasing ACT Presents Series programming:
Increasing and improve programming for arts learning for all ages;
Gallery exhibitions that refine visitor-learning experience in relation to diversity, accessibility, and engagement;
Proactively develop opportunities between The ACT Arts Centre and School District 42;
Extend Community Outreach through local events and the Bursary and Awards programs
patron engagement
The ACT will enhance its exceptional customer experience – from the first communications to after patrons and participants have left the events.
We will increase participation from a wider range of patrons/participants; retain and engage current patrons/participants in new ways and more frequently; and reach out to the many new residents coming to the community and surrounding areas.
We will listen carefully to our patrons’ opinions, suggestions and concerns through on-going surveys and personal communications with our many patrons and stakeholders.
community engagement
An engaged community is vital to sustainable operations of the Centre and its programs. We will seek to understand the needs and desires of our many stakeholders in order to growing our audience reach and deliver programming that meets local needs.
Core to this is nurturing strong, reciprocal relationships with individuals, organizations or businesses who are committed to helping the ACT shape its community engagement efforts.
The ACT Arts Centre recognizes opportunities to develop strong relationships with the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations, with social service organizations, other arts and culture organizations, as well as others who will be identified as the region grows.
sustainability: fund development
Focused resource development is required to enable the growth and expansion of the artistic and educational programming and improve the facility, operations, and equipment for the benefit of the community.
To diversify and increase revenue streams, new sources of funds will be identified and cultivated in order to build sustainable organizational capacity.
The ACT will:
Invite increased individual giving and sponsorships as a source of contributed income by building infrastructure and process to support long-term fund development;
Begin ‘friend-raising’ and investing in relationships with potential donors and sponsors;
Involve the Board in fund development efforts as appropriate.
administration: operations, systems, HR and facility management
The ACT Arts Centre will nurture a capable and committed staff, an efficient and supportive workspace environment, systems and resources than empower staff to do their best work, and an organizational culture that is creative, dynamic and embraces new approaches while constantly seeking efficiencies and improvements in operations.
In addition to program creation and delivery, the ACT Arts Centre will maintain excellent professional stewardship of the facility, responsible for maintenance, improvements and upgrades to the theatres, Gallery and learning spaces to support successful program delivery, and ensure the ongoing safety and enjoyment of all patrons in the facility.
board and governance
The MRPM Arts Council has benefited from the Board service of many community leaders throughout its long history. In addition to the governance and oversight functions, a committed Board of Directors will be strategically recruited and engaged to continue to serve as ambassadors to the community.
All Board members will be given the tools to champion the Centre’s mission and programs to the larger community.
The Board will assist in achieving strategic objectives of this plan through Committees of the Board; ensure the organization enacts strong succession plans and Board commitment; and review Strategic Plan progress and use the plan to guide governance of the organization for continued and greater success.
For a full copy of the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council’s strategic plan, contact us at info@mract.org.